NSB SCOUTWIRE: BC9 HBCU WEEKEND ROUNDUP
Reporting on the Week of April 6th – 12th, 2026
The second week of April provided a masterclass in the unpredictability of the diamond. From a historic Power 5 upset to high-scoring conference sweeps, the “legacy of the nines” was on full display.
THE HEADLINE: WILDCATS SHOCK THE WORLD, THEN HIT A SPEED BUMP
Mid-Week Magic: Bethune-Cookman 10, #18 LSU 7
The story of the year—and perhaps the decade—unfolded on Tuesday, April 7th. The Wildcats traveled into the “Box” in Baton Rouge and did the unthinkable, taking down the SEC’s LSU Tigers.
The Play-by-Play: Down 6-5 in the 7th, B-CU manufactured a 5-run explosion fueled by discipline at the plate and a costly LSU error. Jean Carlos Zambrano slammed the door in the bottom of the 7th, striking out the side with the bases loaded to preserve the first-ever win over the Tigers in program history.
The SWAC Hangover: Mississippi Valley State Stuns B-CU
In a classic “trap game” scenario, the Wildcats struggled to carry that momentum into Itta Bena.
April 10th (Game 1): The Delta Devils played spoiler, outslugging the weary Wildcats 8-6.
The Recovery: B-CU found their footing on April 11th, dismantling Valley in a doubleheader sweep (13-2 and 15-0) to take the series. Despite the Game 1 slip-up, the Wildcats proved their resilience.
SWAC: THE OFFENSIVE ARMS RACE
While B-CU was making national headlines, the rest of the SWAC was busy rewriting the record books with a weekend of high-octane scoring.
Florida A&M Rattlers: A 23-Run Statement
The Matchup: FAMU vs. Jackson State (April 12)
Final Score: FAMU 23, Jackson State 8
The Highlight: The Rattlers’ bats are currently radioactive. They turned a rivalry game into a home run derby, highlighted by a massive 5th inning that saw three separate long balls. FAMU is officially the most dangerous offensive unit in the conference.
Texas Southern Tigers: Power in the Bottom Half
The Matchup: Texas Southern vs. Alcorn State (April 12)
Final Score: TSU 18, Alcorn State 5
PBP Highlight: TSU’s depth was the story here, with the bottom half of the order driving in nearly half the runs, showcasing a balanced attack that will be hard to scout.
SIAC & CIAA: DEFENDING THE TURF
Edward Waters vs. Savannah State
Final Score: Edward Waters 14, Savannah State 4 (April 11)
The Standout: Luis Nunez was a one-man wrecking crew, going 4-for-5 with 6 RBIs. His bases-clearing double in the 7th was the final nail in the Tigers’ coffin.
Albany State Remains King
The Golden Rams took 2 of 3 from Benedict, relying on a dominant complete-game performance in a 3-2 thriller on April 12th to maintain their #1 ranking in the BC9 DII polls.
BC9 WEEKLY LEADERS (APRIL 6-12)
Hitter of the Week
Luis Nunez
Edward Waters
6 RBI performance; .600+ OBP for the week.
Pitcher of the Week
Andris Barroso
Bethune-Cookman
Earned the historic W in relief against LSU.
Team of the Week
Florida A&M
FAMU 23 runs in a single game; 40+ runs on the weekend.
Weekend Takeaway for the Roundup:
The Wildcats’ victory over LSU is a rising tide that lifts all HBCU boats, proving that the gap is closing. However, the loss to MVSU serves as a reminder: in the SWAC, no lead is safe and no opponent can be overlooked.
About the Author
Rod White is a veteran scout and the National Scouting Director for the National Scouting Bureau (NSB). A graduate of Scout School with the Toronto Blue Jays, Rod has served in scouting roles within the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies organizations and is a key selection committee member and scout for the MLB HBCU Swingman Classic.
Most recently, as the Head Baseball Coach at Dillard University, Rod led the program to unprecedented goals and a .660 winning percentage during his tenure. An alumnus and former assistant coach of Alabama State University, Rod has dedicated his career to the elevation of the game at every level.
As the founder of NSB, NSB ScoutWire, the ScoutsEye App, and the We Play Baseball Podcast, Rod blends a traditional scout’s “eye test” with modern data-driven analytics to identify “fast-track” prospects. His mission remains clear: ensuring that all baseball talent receives the professional visibility and evaluation they deserve, with a steadfast commitment to minority and HBCU players.